Outrage over girl’s killing
MITCHELLS Plain residents took to the streets yesterday to protest over violence against children, two days after the body of an 11-year-old Tafelsig girl was discovered in a bush and the subsequent arrest of a man believed to be her neighbour.
Last night police confirmed the suspect had been arrested in connection with the murder and will appear in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court this morning.
Stacha Arendz was discovered naked, and face down in a bushy area next to Swartklip Road in Tafelsig on Tuesday – a day after she went missing.
Yesterday, marchers proceeded down Paulsberg Road to the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court where they believed the suspect was due to appear.
At the court building, angry residents demanded to be let inside, hurling expletives at the police manning the gates.
Chanting “we want justice” the angry crowd were eventually dispersed by the police,and moved to a nearby marquee where a memorial service was held for the Tafelsig Primary School pupil.
At the service residents lashed out at the police, saying their communities were not safe against criminals. The suspect is a convicted rapist and it’s believed he had been released on bail six months ago.
“The police are protecting the rapists and killers and there is no justice, a suspect gets sentenced to 6 or 10 years then they are out of prison. That is not justice,” said Cecilia Junat.
Community activist Philidelphia Hartzenberg said the community wanted their children to feel safe and the suspect should be kept behind bars. A Tafelsig resident who only gave his name as Cameron said he felt unsafe and could not move freely because of crime and violence in the township.
Another resident said: “As a father of a six-year-old I fear for my son’s life. I do not allow him to play outside any more.”
Residents demanded local politicians and mayor Patricia de Lille reach out to them and not just canvass for votes at election time. Those who spoke to the Cape Times said drugs played a role in the violence plaguing Tafelsig.
Thohar Rodrigues, an activist in Hanover Park, who was at the memorial service, said: “We are here today to offer assistance to the community of Mitchells Plain.”
He said the community should challenge the administration of justice.
Last night residents in Lavender Hill attended a vigil for Rene-Tracy Roman, who was murdered earlier this month.
Roman’s decomposed body, which was half naked and bound at the hands and feet, was found in a shed in a house only metres from hers.
She never returned home after buying a packet of chips on March 10.
On Monday a 50-year-old man, alleged to have been the teen’s neighbour, was arrested in Stellenbosch and charged with her murder.